State Auditor reports IVH deposit issue

Investigation focused on Volunteer Services Dept.

Auditor of State Mary Mosiman released a report Thursday on a special investigation of Volunteer Services within the Iowa Veterans Home (IVH) for the period Oct. 1, 2014 through June 30, 2016. The special investigation was requested by IVH officials as a result of concerns regarding certain financial transactions.

Mosiman reported the special investigation identified an estimate of $1,800 of popcorn sales which were not properly deposited during the period of a former administrative assistant’s employment with Volunteer Services.

“We identified a concern and requested assistance from the State Auditor’s Office,” said IVH Commandant Jodi Tymeson in an email Thursday to the Times-Republican. “We appreciate their assistance with this special investigation and have already implemented stronger internal control measures.”

Mosiman also identified a number of other IVH collections and donations which were not properly safeguarded and susceptible to loss. However, because sufficient records were not available for the period of the investigation, it was not possible to determine if any of the donations were not properly deposited, improperly distributed, or used for personal purposes.

The report includes recommendations to strengthen internal controls and overall operations, such as improving segregation of duties and requiring sufficient supporting documentation for all collections and donations.

Copies of the report have been filed with the Marshalltown Police Department, the Division of Criminal Investigation, the Marshall County Attorney’s Office, and the Attorney General’s Office. A copy of the report is available for review in the Office of Auditor of State and on the Auditor of State’s website at https://auditor.iowa.gov/reports/1760-6710-BE00.